'Handle With Care' to be delivered at Actors' Summit in Akron

Published: March 21, 2014 12:00 AM

Actors' Summit, Akron's professional theater, announces the production of "Handle With Care," the new romantic comedy that just finished its New York premiere run Off-Broadway.

In the play, a young Israeli woman reluctantly travels with her Bubbie (grandmother) to the United States. Bubbie seems to be on a quest but she won't tell anyone about it. On Christmas Eve, a crisis arises when a package being sent back to Israel goes missing. The normal challenge of dealing with the shipping company driver is compounded by the fact that he is trying to make himself understood (using rural southern English) to someone who only speaks Hebrew. The delivery driver calls on his only Jewish friend to translate for him and quickly learns that not all Jews speak Hebrew. Even so, the barriers to communication melt when he and the granddaughter develop a romantic attachment.

"We're very fortunate to have recruited a wonderful language coach, Oudi Singer," said Constance Thackaberry, director of the production. "Mr. Singer was born and raised in Israel. "He is passionate about teaching Hebrew and currently teaches or has taught at Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson; Agnon in Beachwood; the Lippman School in Akron; Beth-El Akron; and Kol Chadash, Solon. I am also lucky to have cast Natalie Kern, an actress with both a terrific work ethic and a great ear for language."

The show will have a preview performance on March 27 with the official opening on March 28. "Handle With Care" is currently scheduled for a 12 performance run, closing on April 13. Performances are given Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., and take place at Greystone Hall, in downtown Akron. The show is appropriate for all ages. A free dessert reception with the cast follows the opening night performance.

Tickets can be purchased through the box office at 330-374-7568 and online at www.actorssummit.org. Preview tickets (March 27) are $20. Tickets for all other performances: $33 for adults, $28 for seniors over 65, and $10 for all full time students under 30.

The theater is on the sixth floor of historic Greystone Hall in downtown Akron. The facility features barrier free access, free parking, and full bar service.